Brussels: Influenza has returned to Europe with a faster speed than this winter estimate after almost disappearing last year, increasing concerns about “twindemic” which is prolonged with Covid-19 in the middle of some doubts about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.
Lockdowns, wearing masks and social distance that have become norms in Europe during the Covid-19 pandemic knock on the last winter flu, temporarily eradicate viruses that globally kill around 650,000 a year, according to UE figures.
But now it has changed when countries adopt less strict steps to fight Covid-19 due to expanding vaccination.
Since mid-December, the flu virus has circulated in Europe at a higher level of estimate, the Center for Prevention and Control of the European Disease (ECDC) reported this month.
In December, the number of cases of flu in the European Intensive Care Unit (ICU) increased steadily reached its peak last week this year, the ECDC and data of the World Health Organization showed.
It was far below the pre-pandemic level – with a weekly flu case in peaking ICU at more than 400 at the same stage in 2018, for example.
But it was a big increase last year, when there was only one case of flu in the ICU throughout December, showing data.
The return of the virus can be the beginning of a very long flu season that can stretch well until the summer, the ECDC top expert about the Pasi Panttinen influenza told Reuters.
“If we start lifting all steps, the great concern that I have for influenza is that, because we have had a long time almost no circulation in the European population, maybe we will shift from a normal seasonal pattern,” he said.
He said dismantling restrictive steps in the spring could extend the circulation of flu far beyond the end of the European season in May.
“Twindemic” can provide excessive pressure on the health system that is already too high, the ECDC said in its report.
In France, three regions – including the Paris region – facing the flu epidemic, according to data published by the French Ministry of Health last week.
Others in the pre-epidemic phase.
This season, France has so far recorded 72 serious flu cases, with six deaths.
Problems that complications of dominant strainfurther, the dominant flu strain this year has emerged so far to be H3 of the virus, which usually causes the most severe cases among parents.
Penttinen said it was too early to make a final assessment of the flu vaccine because a large number of painful patients were needed for real-world analysis.
But the lab test shows the vaccine available this year “will not be optimal” against H3.
It was largely because there were very few or no viruses circulating when the vaccine composition was decided last year, making it more difficult for vaccine makers to predict which strain would be dominant in the upcoming flu season.
The European vaccine, which represents the top vaccine maker in the region, recognizes strain selection made more difficult with very low flu circulation last year, but adding there is not enough data to assess the effectiveness of shot this season.
The flu vaccine is adapted every year to make it as effective as possible against the flu virus that continues to change.
Their composition was decided six months before the winning flu season, based on virus circulation in the opposite hemisphere.
It gives time for drug makers to develop and make shots.
Data throughout Europe regarding the absorption of flu vaccines is not yet available.
But the national figures for French coverage shows not broadly when the authority hopes.
The authorities there extended with one month of vaccination until the end of February to increase inoculation.
According to numbers released last week, 12 million people have so far been vaccinated, around 45% of the targeted population.
“There is still a large space for improvement to limit the impact of the flu epidemic,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement on January 11.
This year’s target is to vaccinate 75% of risky people.
The European vaccine said the industry had supplied a large number of flu shots, even though there was pressure on the production facility posed by a pandemic.
Return of flu: UE faces a prolonged ‘Twindemic’ threat
